Director 1 Process Excellence

Director 1 Process Excellence Northrop Grumman

• 4.0 Linthicum Heights, MD Job Details $176,100
• $305,900 a year 1 day ago Benefits Paid holidays Disability insurance Relocation assistance Health insurance Paid time off Qualifications Performance dashboard reports Project reporting Operational cost reduction Statistics Top Secret Clearance Master's degree in business administration Manufacturing management Budget management Power BI Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Master's degree in business Data visualization software proficiency Data Integration (Data management) Machine learning/AI-based analysis Workplace ergonomics Procedural guides Tooling ISO standards Design of manufacturing processes Supply chain ERP systems Tooling design Value stream mapping Engineering process optimization Data reporting Process automation manufacturing ROI Certified Supply Chain Professional Six Sigma Master Black Belt 8 years Minitab Change management Manufacturing standard operating procedures Data quality management Team development Presentation skills Bachelor's degree Decision making Financial control management Engineering Management Performance Improvement (PI) Mentoring Recruiting Industrial engineering Quality standards in production

FMEA JMP CPIM

Simulation systems Occupational safety risk assessments Hazard analysis Manufacturing engineering Senior level AI Cross-functional collaboration Education and development budget management Master of Business Administration Project leadership Cross-functional team management Leadership Data-driven decision making Manufacturing company experience Communication skills Python Cross-functional communication Supply chain collaboration Statistical analysis tools Senior leadership Full Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE

Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START

No

CLEARANCE TYPE

None TRAVEL:

Yes, 50% of the Time Description At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history

• from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon.

We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history. The Director 1 Process Excellence leader is the senior champion for Manufacturing Engineering (ME), Industrial Engineering (IE), and Continuous Improvement (CI), specifically Lean Manufacturing across our production network. Reporting to the VP of Quality, Manufacturing and Infrastructure, this role develops and executes the engineering driven, lean focused roadmap that delivers higher quality, higher productivity, lower cost, and safer workplaces. The incumbent works hand-in-hand with site, division and sector manufacturing, product development, quality, supply chain, and IT across several sites to embed lean principles and manufacturing / Industrial engineering best practices into every step of the value stream—from concept to high volume production. Sector QM&I Director, Process Excellence responsibilities: Manufacturing Engineering Process Design & Scale‑Up

• Lead the design, qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) and scale‑up of manufacturing processes, equipment, fixtures, and tooling for new products and product revisions. Technology Transfer
• Own the NPI hand‑over from R D to the shop floor, ensuring cost, cycle‑time, and yield targets are met. Equipment Optimization
• Drive retrofits, automation upgrades, and line redesigns that improve OEE and reduce change‑over time (SMED). Standardization
• Create and maintain robust work instructions, SOPs, and process specifications that are the "single source of truth" for production. Industrial Engineering Capacity Planning & Line Balancing
• Perform takt‑time analysis, line balancing, and capacity modeling to meet forecast demand while minimizing labor and equipment bottlenecks. Facility Layout & Flow
• Design/optimize plant layouts, cellular manufacturing cells, and material flow (value‑stream mapping) for maximum efficiency and minimal handling. Simulation & Digital Twins
• Use discrete‑event simulation, digital twin tools, and data analytics to evaluate "what‑if" scenarios before physical changes are made. Work Study & Motion Analysis
• Conduct time‑studies, method‑studies, and ergonomic assessments to set standard labor times and reduce fatigue. Lean Manufacturing (Continuous Improvement) Develop and own the CI strategy
• Create a 3‑year Lean transformation roadmap that aligns with corporate goals and secures the required budget and resources. Lead CI governance
• Chair the Continuous‑Improvement Steering Committee, establish Kaizen teams, and enforce a standardized project‑charter and audit cadence across all sites. Drive value‑stream analysis and Kaizen
• Oversee end‑to‑end value‑stream mapping, prioritize rapid‑improvement events, and ensure that each event delivers measurable performance gains. Define, track, and report KPIs
• Maintain the CI scorecard (OEE, lead‑time, waste‑rate, cost‑per‑unit, ROI, training penetration, etc.) and present results to senior leadership on a monthly basis. Build Lean capabilities
• Design and roll out a Lean Academy (Yellow, Green, Black Belt), mentor emerging CI champions, and sustain a pipeline of certified practitioners. Implement change‑management programs
• Deploy visual management, daily‑management systems, and communication campaigns that embed a continuous‑improvement culture throughout the organization. Manage ROI and financial oversight
• Develop business cases for CI projects, track benefits versus costs, and control the CI budget (including external consulting and training spend).

People & Culture Recruit, develop, and retain a high‑performing

ME/IE/CI

team (engineers, analysts, facilitators). Mentor plant leaders and front‑line teams in lean thinking, data‑driven decision making, and change management. Create a "continuous‑improvement as a habit" culture measured by participation rates and sustained gains. Data, Metrics & Digital Enablement Define the KPI set for ME, IE, and Lean (OEE, SCRAP, First‑Pass Yield, Labor Hours per Unit, Change‑over Time). Integrate MES/ERP data streams into real‑time dashboards; ensure data integrity for decision making. Champion the use of advanced analytics (statistical process control, predictive maintenance, AI) to pre‑empt losses. Financial Stewardship Build business cases (ROI, payback) for all engineering and lean projects; track actual savings vs. target. Partner with Finance to embed process costs into product costing and margin analysis. Safety, Quality & Compliance Embed EHS and Quality requirements (ISO/TS, GMP, IATF) into every process design and lean activity. Conduct risk assessments (PFMEA, Process Hazard Analysis) and drive corrective actions promptly. The successful candidate will possess the following competencies and skills: Deep knowledge of

Manufacturing Engineering:

process design, automation, tooling, and equipment qualification.

Strong Industrial Engineering fundamentals:

line balancing, capacity planning, layout design, simulation. Mastery of Lean Manufacturing (Certified Lean Expert or equivalent). Advanced statistical analysis (Minitab, JMP, R, Python) and data visualization (Power BI, Tableau). Ability to turn raw production data into actionable improvement plans. Coaching/mentoring skillset to develop engineering and shop‑floor talent. Experience delivering multi‑site engineering or lean programs on time and within budget Clear, concise written and verbal communication; capable of presenting technical concepts to executives and frontline workers alike. Understanding of cost structures, margin drivers, and supply‑chain dynamics in a high‑mix, high‑volume manufacturing environment. Curiosity for emerging manufacturing technologies (robotics, additive manufacturing, AI/ML) and a track record of scaling them.

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree with 10 plus years of relevant experience OR Master's degree with 8 plus years of relevant experience 10+ years progressive experience in manufacturing/industrial engineering. At least 5 years in a leadership role focused on lean/continuous improvement. Certified Lean Expert Proven ability to lead cross‑functional, matrixed teams and to influence senior leadership without direct authority. Proven ability to build and maintain high performing teams. Proven ability to take ownership and be accountable with an "owners" mindset. Strong interpersonal skills, an exceptional self-starter attitude, and the ability to produce in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Strong business/financial acumen, keen organizational skills, and excellent problem-solving ability. Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance up to

Top Secret Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree (MBA, Engineering Management, or related) Experience leading global, multi‑plant engineering and lean programs. Prior exposure to Industry 4.0 initiatives (IoT, digital twins). Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt; PMP;

APICS CPIM/CSCP.

Active Top Secret Clearance #LI-MJ5

Primary Level Salary Range:

$176,100.00

• $305,900.

00 The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business. The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.